Mitchell Hooper Wins the 2024 Rogue Invitational
Mitchell Hooper continues his reign as a dominant force in Strongman, achieving his second consecutive win at the Rogue Invitational in Aberdeen, Scotland. With a blend of power, endurance, and strategy, Hooper's consistency across six grueling events proved unmatched. The Canadian powerhouse scored an impressive 54 out of a possible 60 points, securing his place at the top of the leaderboard.
Key Moments Behind Hooper’s Win
Hooper’s performance was a masterclass in consistency. Over the six events, he claimed one event win, four runner-up finishes, and a third-place finish, demonstrating a lack of weaknesses across the board. Reflecting on his success, Hooper shared his mindset:
“I love the process more than I love the outcome, simple as that. Getting in the gym and training hard is my true joy; success in competition is a byproduct of this love.”
In the first event, the max deadlift, Hooper took second place behind Björnsson, one of the best heavy deadlifters in the world. Hooper followed this with another second-place finish in event two, while Björnsson struggled and placed last, giving Hooper a solid lead.
In event three, Hooper and Björnsson used their leaderboard advantage to compete last, knowing the time to beat. Although Tom Stoltman, the “King of the Stones,” set a strong benchmark, Hooper and Björnsson pushed hard to claim the top two spots, with Stoltman finishing third.
Stoltman fired back on home soil in event four, winning the event and thrilling the crowd. Björnsson and Hooper followed in second and third, marking Hooper’s only finish outside the top two. Hooper then dominated the Yoke Escalator event, securing his only event win and solidifying his lead. Heading into the final event, Hooper’s position was untouchable, and he finished the competition with a commanding victory.
The Role of AIRWAAV in Hooper’s Success
As an AIRWAAV athlete, Hooper emphasized how the mouthpiece played a critical role in his performance:
“I wore AIRWAAV during every event, as I always do. From helping with power on the max deadlift to oxygen consumption on the long medleys that the Invitational is known for, my AIRWAAV helped me from start to finish.”
Hooper’s ability to excel across events requiring both raw strength and endurance highlights how AIRWAAV continues to be a key tool in his arsenal.
Notable Athlete Performances
Tom Stoltman, the reigning three-time World’s Strongest Man champion and hometown hero, delivered an impressive performance at the Rogue Invitational, securing a tie for second on the podium. Known for his incredible consistency and dominance in events like the Stones, Stoltman thrilled the home crowd with an event win and remains a force to be reckoned with. Several other AIRWAAV athletes also made their mark, including Thomas Evans in sixth, Matthew Ragg in seventh as a rising star in the sport, Bobby Thompson in eighth, and Tristain Hoath, who rounded out the top 10.
In the Strongwoman division, AIRWAAV athlete Sam Beliveau finished in eighth place, scoring a total of 26 points in a fiercely competitive field.
Looking Ahead
Mitchell Hooper’s dominance at the Rogue Invitational reaffirms his position as one of the strongest and most consistent competitors in the sport. With his unique approach to training and the support of tools like AIRWAAV, Hooper is setting the standard for what it means to excel in Strongman.
